📚 Guide by Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety — H2s Alive Edition 7 Enform — a Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety guide for Canadian oil & gas, construction, and industrial workers. Written and reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC, Calgary lead safety instructor.
🔗 Related Safety Mom courses & guides: H2S Alive Calgary · What is H2S gas? · Oil Sands Safety Certs · Instructor: Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC
Allstar Enviro Safety has been facilitating the H2S Alive Program for over 2 decades in Alberta.
The development of this program was developed by petroleum industry Training Service or PITS as a means of education oil and gas personnel to the dangers of hydrogen sulphide gas. The toxic, flammable, explosive and corrosive gas was responsible for many injuries, knockdowns and deaths.
During the early years of petroleum exploration in Western Canada, many deaths were considered hear attacks. Equipment was breaking down from the corrosive effects of H2S and the Public was regularly exposed to this environmental pollutant that was released from kicks and blow outs.
Pressure from public concern and several blowouts in the Lodgepole area of Alberta helped stakeholders to collect essential and often, unknown information about the health hazards to both the public, environment, materials, equipment and workers alike.
In 1988, PITS released the first edition of the H2S Alive training program. In 2013, the latest edition was released which approaches this subject with a more proactive perspective. This is in comparison to the reactive training of the past, where H2S would be released and the 7 step initial response was the emphasis. To be proactive, the use of a Hazard Assessment, Risk assessment and Control was added.
New workers who are not aware of conducting a field Level hazard assessment or how to reduce hazards by developing a hierarchy of controls are better educated in the process after completion of the program. More emphasis on electronic monitoring and the removal of CPR from the program are several updates to Edition 7.
It is still a 6 – 8 hour program. Upon successful completion of the theory and physical skills and writing a closed book exam, a 3 month temporary ticket is awarded. The mailing of permanent 3 year tickets has been expedited with a faster mailout system directly to the student or their employer after certification.
Enroll today with Allstar Enviro Safety, your safety training pros!
Additional Safety Knowledge
Understanding H2S — The Basics
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a colourless, flammable gas heavier than air with a characteristic rotten-egg odour at low concentrations. It is produced naturally by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter and is present in sour oil and gas reservoirs, sewer systems, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper operations, tanneries, and manure storage pits. In Alberta’s upstream oil and gas industry it is the single most common atmospheric hazard.
Exposure Concentrations and Effects
- 0.01–1.5 ppm: detectable by smell — the classic rotten-egg odour.
- 10 ppm: Alberta occupational exposure limit (OEL) 8-hour time-weighted average.
- 15 ppm: Alberta 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL).
- 50–100 ppm: eye irritation, respiratory discomfort, olfactory fatigue (sense of smell disappears — a dangerous false-safety signal).
- 100 ppm: NIOSH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) limit.
- 500–700 ppm: loss of consciousness within minutes, respiratory paralysis, death likely without immediate rescue.
- 1,000 ppm and above: single-breath knockdown — instant collapse and death.
Detection and Personal Monitoring
Every worker in a potential H2S atmosphere must carry a personal 4-gas monitor calibrated for H2S detection. Standard alarm setpoints are 10 ppm (low alarm) and 15 ppm (high alarm). Bump testing is required before every shift; full calibration every 30 days minimum. Fixed detection systems with visual and audible alarms are required at facilities with continuous H2S risk.
H2s Alive Edition 7 Enform — Emergency Response
The first response to an H2S alarm is not to investigate — it is to evacuate upwind and uphill (H2S is heavier than air). Muster at the designated point, complete roll call, and notify the incident commander. Rescue attempts require Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), a trained rescue partner, and a documented rescue plan. Attempting rescue without SCBA is the leading cause of secondary H2S fatalities.
Content reviewed by Arliss Levine, CRSP, CHSC — lead safety instructor at Safety Mom · Allstar Enviro Safety Calgary, an Energy Safety Canada Authorized Training Provider.
